COVID Senior Lockdown, Day 1

Today the Governor shut down all bars and restaurants effective 5:00 pm. He made this pronouncement at 11:00 am. Panic ensues. Mrs. F and I happen to be on the road in one of Maryland’s fine seaside communities. We were on our way to buy some caramel popcorn and maybe saltwater taffy for a young neighbor who cares for our outside cat when we’re away. Nice girl. We’re helping pay for her first car, $5 at a time. We sat in the car outside the store and listened to the Governor on the radio. Then we went in and bought popcorn. And taffy. And peanut brittle. And turtles. Eventually, $60 worth of panic candy. We don’t eat candy. Panic knows no logic.

A short walk from the candy store is our favorite tequila bar, just opened for the lunch crowd. We figured, why not? Who knows when we’ll get in there again? Three early diners at the bar, and us. The barmaid had just heard the news. She was kind of shocky. Ever the trouper, though, she declared all day Happy Hour because, again, why not?

By the time we left after a couple of margeritas and a shared quesadilla, the manager and other bar staff had filtered in and were planning their shutdown at a back table. Gallows humor soon set in. Good for them. When we heard the word “speakeasy” Miz F went over asked them for the secret knock and password. We’ll be there.